Igniter torch



Feb. Z5, 1941. E. D. wlLsoN 2,232,893

IGNITER TORCH Filed Nov. 16, 1938 INVENTOR. Fl m 50AM/ARD J/V/SONyme/Smgaea,

ATTORNEY UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE" mmm 'roacn sama n. wann, Newport,om.

Application November' i6, 1938, Serial No. 240,6 4t claims. (ci. 6140.1)

This invention relatesto a self lighting torch of the type used forsoldering, light brazing and general construction work inmanufacturingand repair shops.

5 ASuch torches are operated by gas, usually acetylene gas mixed withair, the mixing being done by a siphon built into the torch behind thename tube or nozzle, with a main cut-off valve and a modulating valve toregulate the mixture. Lighting such a torch requires enriching themixture because it is lighted at vthe tip of the llame tube. More airhas been mixed with the gas as it leaves the tube andit is too lean toignite readily. Enriching the mixture connotes opening the modulatingvalve, thus. disturbing its optimum adjustment, then getting it back,which consumes the workman's time and some .'extra sas. Y y

An object, therefore, is a torch that ignites instantly when the gas isturned on by the cutoff valve, without adjustment of the gas-airmixture, which improves theknown art as above stated.

The foregoing and other objects which will be apparent, constitute thepurposes of the present invention, the scope of which is to beascertained by the claims following this specification. Y

A drawing showing the best form with which I am now acquainted, forms apart hereof and serves to illustrate the invention and also is keyed tothe specification by reference numerals indicating the several partstherein described.

In the drawing:

Fig. I is aside view, partly sectioned, showing the torch with ignitiondevice, while the same is in position of use, the arrow representingsustained pressure by the operators nger;

Fig. II is the same structure shown in Fig. I except that the pressurehas been relaxed. the

4g torch automatically becoming dormant; and

Fig. III is a section at III-III, Fig. I.

In the drawing, I is the dash-back protector, not detailed because it iswell known, here serving also as a handle for the torch.

2 is a modulating valve, likewise well known. 3 is a main cut-oi! valvealways used but in this case' it is normally closed under the influenceof the spring 4 that acts against the trigger 5, which in -turn is maderigid with the ground key 6, not further detailed because it is old andwell known.

The valve 3 serves'as a supporting element for F the mixing tube' 8which is provided with the usual air inlet openings 8. The mixing tube 8V5g serves in turn as a support for the llame tube Il. As so fardescribed and lignoring the structure shownv but not yet referred tc,the device does not diiler in any essential from the torches used ingreat numbers in industry,

but I have added to the old art as follows: 5 Y

I provide a side outlet Ilin the iiame tube j Il and a movable sleeve I2that covers the opening thus made.A The sleeve I! carries aY ilintholder I3 within which is the spring Il and the ilint I5. The word "nintis conventional and i0 does not refer to the geologic material knownas.' flint but to an article of commerce, widely used in cigarV andcigarette lighters and known as T ilint.; hence the word will be used todesignate a material that gives a spark when struck4 l5 againststeel. 'IY The int I5 is kept in resilient contact with the `steel I6, by thespring Il. I have found that a short piece of a rat-tail ille servesadmirably as thesteel when it is laid in the ame tube Il 20 loosely, asshown. Y A .As stated, the sleeve I2 is movable and it is indirectlyconnected to the trigger I by the reachrod Ii and the compression springIl. A detent spring I9 serves to prevent too quick a V25 movement of theflint against the steel i6, when the trigger 5 is pressed and before gasis present to be ignited.

lWhen the trigger 5 is pressed, moving it from the position shown inFig. 1I w that shown in 30 Y Fig. I, the spring I8 is firstv compressedand the detent I9 prevents any movement of the sleeve I2 before theports in the shut-oil valve (not shown) have registered to pass gas tothe mixing tube 8 and the llame tube Il.

When thespring Il has all' of its coilstogether as happens when thetrigger I is pulled nearly as far back as it will go, the resistance ofthe detent I 9 is overcome and it slides up on top of the sleeve I2 asshown in Fig. I, where it oifers little resistance to sliding of thesleeve I2; ,hence the latter lrapidly slides back under the influence ofthe spring Il, the flint II has an ideally rapid frictional contact withthe steel I6 producing a strong spark and at the same time thetip of the5 llame tube III is exposed for works f It will be observed that thespark lights the working mixture which is easily ignitable and themodulating valve may be set to its .optimum position and not afterwardsdisturbed. 50 Y When a workman desires to use the torch he picks it up.Squeezes the trigger and iinds an optimum llame instantly availableforhis work. ShouldY he lay the torch down or drap it accidentally, itinstantly resumes its dormant, un-

lighted condition;` hence accidents are prevented and time is saved,besides improving work done with the tool in its best possibleadjustment at all times.

The detailed description given the preferred form is for the purpose ofexplaining' the principie ot itsoperation and not intended as limitingthe invention to the form selected for its disclosure. What I claim asnew and desire to secure by LettersPatent is:

1. A torch igniter comprising a gas torch member, a ilame tube for saidtorch member that is provided with a side opening, a movable sleeve thatcovers the side opening, friction ignition means carried in part by saidsleeve to project through said side opening and a cooperating part oi'said ignition means positioned,A within the flame tube, and detent andspring means for moving the said sleeve abruptly with respect to thetube to generate a spark within the tube.

` 2. In a gas torch, a llame tube, a normally closed gas control valvetherefor, an air supply that becomes operative upon iiow of gas, a sparkigniter positioned .within the tube, a lever i'or opening said controlvalve, operative connections between the lever and the igniter eiectiveto cause the igniter to deliver a spark after the control valve has beenopened and a spring opposed lost motion device in series in saidoperative connections.

3. In a gas torch, a flame tube, a normally closed control valve forsaid tube, a gas air mixer, a lever for manually opening the valve, aflint and steel igniter positioned within the :dame tube, a connectorjoining the said lever and the igniter and spring means in seriesbetween said lever and said igniter arranged to rst yield upon movementoi' said lever and afterwards to cause an abrupt movement oi' theigniter upon further movement oi' the lever.

4. A ilame tube Afor a gas torch that is pro- 6 vided with a sideoutlet, a steel within the tube adjacent the outlet, a slidable sleeveover the outlet a flint projecting through the outlet and carried bysaid sleeve in resilient engagement with the steel an operating rod forsaid sleeve, a spring in series with said rod and a detent yieldablypositioned to hold said sleeve until overcome by resilient action ofsaid spring.

5. In a torch of the character described, a name tube, an ignitertherein, a gas control valve for said name tube having an operatinglever a sleeve slidably mounted on the flame tube that is effective tooperate the igniter, a detent therefor and means yieldably connectingsaid sleeve to said operating lever said operating lever actuating boththe sleeve and the gas control valve means, said detent positioned toprevent the sleeve from moving until the lever has moved to gassupplying position. i

6. In a gas torch, a ilame tube, gas supply means operatively connectedto said tube, a modulating valve and a. shut-off valve in series in saidsupply means and a spark igniter positioned within the flame tube nearits operating end, an operating trigger for the shut-off valve, anoperator connector between said trigger and said igniter and meansinterposed in series in the operator connector effective to delayoperation of the igniter until after the shut-oil? valve has opened.

EDWARD D. WILSON.

